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Doireann O’Sullivan was stopped in her tracks but the ball breaks from a scramble after Sinead Goldrick threw it across goal.

Aine O'Sullivan smashed it into the top right with a diving Ciara Trant left with no chance. An exceptionally sweet strike.

But the mercurial Noelle Healy, with an unbelievable run in from the right, had a quick exchange with Davey and she found Rowe all alone in front of goal,

Rowe makes no mistake to send Dublin in on top by four points.

An end-to-end game with two attacking sides, playing differently.

Cork positioned their ball-carriers deep looking to break down a dogged Dublin defence that gave up a few fouls early but they grew into the game exceptionally. Niamh Collins, Martha Byrne, and Lauran Magee standing out - as did Eimear Meaney for Cork.

Dublin were being very direct in attack with Healy and McEvoy conducting proceedings. Healy’s run for Carla Rowe’s goal was absolutely fabulous as was the nerveless Aherne.

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But Croker exploded as Davey picked out Rowe cutting in off the right flank in the second half, and a gorgeous effort into the far left corner gave Martina O’Brien no chance - a counter driven by Martha Byrne’s excellent driving once again.

The Dublin defence held firm, despite a late yellow for Leah Caffrey, to finally put to bed their Rebelette hoodoo.

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